I'm wondering what squad is more revered in Japan and what do you think is the better squad? Here are the results 2002 Japan 2-2 Belgium 1-0 Russia 2-0 Tunisia 0-1 Turkey 2010 Japan 1-0 Cameroon 0-1 Netherlands 3-1 Denmark 0-0 Paraguay (3-5 on penalties)
2002 missed Nakamura or it would be my dreamteam. 2010 was a better side especially in defence with 0 real goal conceded in 4 match (the two goals by Snejder and Tomasson are both bad calling since the first start with a handball and the second was not a penalty at all).
2002 JNT was probably a more talented squad, but the one from 2010 has made the tougher path. Plus, they would have deserved to go forward.
Japan 2010 team was the best Japan team in their history IMO. As an Iranian, I really liked that team. That team was very good and the most important reason was coach Takeshi Okada. Takeshi Okada > Zac, CQ, Zico, Troussier, etc. Japan NT had only one Japanese coach from 1997 to now and he was Takeshi Okada (Japan coach at 1998 and 2010) This is interesting for me. Why Japanese never give chance to their Japanese coaches except Takeshi Okada to coach their NT? Is lack of quality and experience the reason? Japan had less homegrown coaches compare to any national team in Asia or even world in last 20 years.
In 2010 everybody thought Japan would be a punching bag. They were considered the weakest Japan WC team ever. Okada was under fire and after the Korea match he offered resignation to the JFA board.